View full sizeThomas Boyd, The OregonianDanny Mwanga, working out at Jeld-Wen Field on Thursday with the Philadelphia Union, faces the Portland Timbers on Friday.

The Philadelphia Union's Danny Mwanga usually maintains a stoic demeanor on and off the soccer field.

But the former Jefferson High School and Oregon State star expects a
large crowd of family, friends, former teammates and coaches in the
stands at Jeld-Wen Field Friday as the Union face the Portland Timbers.

"(Controlling my emotions) is going to be a challenge for me,"
Mwanga said. "This is my first time playing in the town I consider my
hometown in front of so many people who saw me grow up and a lot of
people who watched me play in high school -- family and friends. There's
going to be a lot of emotions."

Philadelphia coach Peter Nowak said Mwanga will start against the
Timbers (3-3-1, 10 points), but how long he'll stay on the playing field
is anybody's guess. Mwanga has started three of the Union's six games
this season, but he has played 45 minutes or less in five of six games.

"I don't worry about it," Mwanga said. "Sometimes you start,
sometimes you don't. We're all professionals and you just have to be
ready."

Nowak has been busy integrating forward Carlos Ruiz into the lineup
and developing chemistry with Mwanga and Sebastian Le Toux. The
Philadelphia coach has been tinkering with the lineup in an effort to
wake up what has been a weak offense with a league-low five goals this
season. Mwanga is scoreless with one assist.

"We're just trying to jell together with the new forward we have.
We still have to do some work offensively," Mwanga said. "Me and some of
the guys just have to get together and work some more."

Nowak said he has seen signs of progress in recent games.

"After a great preseason (Mwanga) slowed down a little bit. Now
he's picking it up again," Nowak said. "He has enough fitness and work
right now. He's confident right now."

The Union used the first overall pick of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft on
Mwanga. The 6-foot-2 forward started slow as a rookie, but finished the
season with seven goals and four assists. He was a finalist for the
league's rookie of the year award.

Nowak said he wants to bring Mwanga along slowly to keep expectations reasonable.

"A kid like Danny, he's not experienced enough," Nowak said. "It's a
long season and we want to make sure that when we put Danny on the
field, he will succeed."

Mwanga's improved play and strong finish in 2010 led to speculation
of a greater role for the 19-year-old in 2011. Instead, Mwanga is still
adapting to MLS play while adjusting to a new teammate.

The addition of Ruiz, a 31-year-old Guatemalan striker, has caused
changes in the Union's attack. Mwanga and Le Toux were starting to
develop chemistry last season, but now Nowak is trying to find room for
all three players.

"It's something we have to work on -- the system and the
chemistry," said Mwanga, who born in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo and moved to the United States in 2006. "That's what we're trying
to do right now. It's going to take a little bit of time."

Ruiz is playing up top with Mwanga, with Le Toux playing more as an
attacking midfielder. Ruiz has scored two goals and Le Toux one on a
penalty kick.

"We're very good players and we all have our own qualities," Mwanga
said. "It's just a matter of time and I don't think it's a big issue at
all. It's still early in the season."

The Union's results so far makes it hard to criticize Nowak's
decisions. The Union (4-1-1) is in second place with 13 points in the
Eastern Conference and has been one of the league's surprise teams.
Philadelphia features a stingy defense, which has allowed two goals this
season, tied for the league lead. Goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon is tied
for the league lead with four shutouts this season.

Through all his changing roles, Mwanga said he remains confident in Nowak and the Union coaching staff.

"I trust the coaching staff will make a decision that will be the
best decision for the entire team," Mwanga said. "The most important
thing and the only thing I really try to focus on is showing up out
there and playing the best soccer I can play. It doesn't really matter
whether I start or not start. It's all about me bringing my best and
performing well."

Mwanga didn't score his first MLS regular-season goal until the
seventh game of the 2010 season. The Union's game against the Timbers
will be their seventh game of the 2011 season.

"It would be nice to score my first goal (of the season) in
Portland," Mwanga said. "But even if I don't, all that matters is the
good result."